Final answer:
Cole had 7/8 of a tank of gas before mowing and 1/4 of a tank after. By subtracting these fractions with a common denominator, we find Cole used 5/8 of a tank of gas to mow the lawn.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking how much gas Cole used after mowing the lawn. To find this out, we need to subtract the fraction of the gas tank he had after mowing (1/4) from what he had before mowing (7/8).
Here's how you do it step by step:
Write down the original amount of gas: 7/8 of a tank.
Write down the remaining amount of gas after mowing: 1/4 of a tank.
Subtract the second fraction from the first: 7/8 - 1/4.
To subtract fractions, they must have a common denominator.
The common denominator for 8 and 4 is 8. So, convert 1/4 to 2/8.
Now subtract the numerators (top numbers): 7 - 2 = 5.
You get 5/8, which means Cole used 5/8 of a tank of gas mowing the lawn.
Therefore, Cole used 5/8 of a tank of gas to mow the lawn.